MANATEE - The Mosaic Co. Tuesday said it has reached a settlement agreement with the Sierra Club, Manasota-88, and People for Protecting the Peace River who were legally challenging the company’s federal wetlands permit at the South Fort Meade mine. This permit allows mining of the Hardee County Extension near Bowling Green, Fla.

The settlement, which is subject to approval by the courts, will resolve the pending appellate and trial court proceedings regarding the permit and allow mining at the South Fort Meade mine to proceed.

“Mosaic is pleased to have reached a reasonable agreement to end litigation that has loomed over the employees at our South Fort Meade mine for more than a year and a half. This settlement provides certainty around our South Fort Meade mine and we look forward to bringing it back to full production. We’re hopeful this agreement provides the foundation to continue our constructive dialog with these interested stakeholders as we look to the future,” said Richard Mack, Mosaic’s executive vice president and general counsel. “It’s especially encouraging that this settlement includes a significant public benefit by conserving the Peaceful Horse Ranch property.”

The Hardee County extension will allow 10 additional years of mining at the South Fort Meade Mine, the company said.